36 EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 07+08/24 www.petpla.net PET Technologies’ NPE insights How would you assess your overall experience at NPE this year? A success. We had five days of fruitful meetings with industry professionals and newcomers. The interactive demonstrations of our APF-Max 3U blow moulder and the hands-on experience we offered were extremely well-received. Participating in NPE significantly boosted our brand visibility. We noticed a marked increase in inquiries and interest in our products post-event. Engaging directly with our target audience allowed us to gather invaluable feedback on our products and services as well as on the market in general. This direct interaction highlighted areas for new product features that could address specific customer needs. The feedback will play a crucial role in our ongoing product development and innovation strategy. Could you please share the key exhibits or technologies showcased at your booth during NPE? What factors influenced your decision to focus on these particular offerings, and what was the response from visitors? This year PETTechnologies showcased the automatic blowmoulding machineAPFMax 3U. As a new entry in our APF-Max series, it marks the progress we’ve made over recent years. With an output of up to 5,400 bph using only three cavities, it accommodated a wide range of bottle volumes from 0.1 to 10l. TheAPF-Max 3U is designed to meet customer-specific needs, including hot fill & asymmetric PET bottles, 100% rPET containers, lightweight containers, returnable & glass PET bottles, a wide range of shapes & capacities and compatibility with moulds from other PET SMB machines. The blow moulder offers flexibility with its quick-change system, allowing the use of multiple mould sets for various PET bottles with minimal changeover time. The blow mould, equipped with non-spill quick-change connections, can be replaced in one piece in just 15 minutes. Additionally, servo drives provide precise positioning, high speed, stable heater conveyor speed, and a consistent blowing process. The stretching rod position adjusts automatically based on bottle height when switching formats, and pre-blow is controlled via PLC. The blowmoulder features a short-wave near infrared heating system (NIR), uncommon in the PET blow moulding market. NIR heating offers more efficient preform heating with lower energy consumption, uniform temperature distribution, reduced heating time, compact heater size, and lower energy usage. Ceramic reflectors enhance preform heating and further reduce energy consumption, with automatic temperature regulation topping off its advanced features. Based on your experience at NPE and your broader industry knowledge, what developments or challenges do you observe in the American PET bottle market? The NorthAmerica PET bottles market size reached USD 8.20 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3%, reaching USD 11.99 billion by 2032, according to EMR. The LatinAmerica PET bottles market reached over USD 2.18 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 4.7%, reaching USD 3.30 billion by 2032. This positive trend matches with PET Technologies’ experience based on the projects that we are currently implementing in the Americas. Driving factors include: New applications: Growing demand for alcoholic beverages in PET containers, which are up to 80% lighter than glass. The PET bottle market for dairy products is also growing due to increased demand for convenience and single-serve options. Focus on sustainability has led to the adoption of rPET and exploration of biodegradable PET by dairy companies. North American companies are enhancing PET bottles’ barrier properties to protect dairy products from light and oxygen. Technological advancements: Rapid technological developments are improving the natural resistance of PET bottles, extending product shelf life. Portable water demand: Increasing demand for 5-gallon PET bottles due to water shortages. The US and Mexico prefer bottles with handles, while Nicaragua prefers those without. Rising use of rPET: Brands are increasing rPET use to meet sustainability goals and comply with regulations. PET Technologies has many customers in the region using 100% rPET preforms. The key challenges for PET bottles market include: Negative image of plastics: Despite studies indicating PET bottles are environmentally less impactful, the negative perception of plastic pollution persists, potentially decreasing demand. Recycled content requirements: Mandates requiring a minimum percentage of recycled content in PET bottles pose challenges due to limited high-quality rPET availability. Alternative packaging: Competition from glass, aluminium, and biodegradable plastics, perceived as more environmentally friendly, is drawing consumers away from PET bottles. www.pet-eu.com Tetiana Pronikova, Head of Marketing and Maxim Poliansky, CEO at PET Technologies A glimpse inside the APF-Max 3U blow moulder
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